Browse Exhibits (2 total)
The Boston Draft Riot
The Boston Draft Riot occured over about a 24 hour period on July 14th of 1863. It began during the second day of the New York City draft riot. It started when a draft officer was assaulted by a crowd. A crowd demonstrated for several hours in front of the District Two police station. It was concentrated mostly in the North End and Downtown neighborhoods. About eight people were killed and several were wounded when rioters attempted to break into the Cooper Street Armory that was being guarded by the military. In the evening, several attempts were made by various groups of rioters to break into downtown stores and steal firearms. The military and police stopped most of these attempts. Overnight, there were attempts at arson, looting and clashes between rioters and authorities. By the morning of July 14th, the riot became subdued and the city returned to normal.
The Troy Draft Riot
The draft riot in Troy, New York erupted on the second day of the New York City draft riot, on Tuesday, July 14th of 1863. Workers from iron and nail factories went on strike and marched across town in a workers protest. The offices of the Republican Troy Daily Times newspaper were demolished. Eighty-eight white prisoners were released from jail when rioters staged a jailbreak. Three black prisoners were not released by the rioters. Over the course of the evening and overnight, various groups of rioters vandalized the homes of prominent Republicans. They also vandalized the homes of and assaulted & terrorized blacks and German immigrants. Police and the military restored order in Troy by 5 AM that morning. Fortunately, no one was killed duirng the Troy draft riot.